EL84 vs 6BQ5
EL84 / 6BQ5 versus 6BQ5 / EL84 — two pentodes compared.
EL84 vs 6BQ5: which one to choose?
The EL84 and 6BQ5 are directly equivalent in most applications — same pinout, same electrical envelope, same general sonic signature. EL84 is the American/RETMA designation; 6BQ5 is the European Mullard-Philips name (or vice versa). You can swap one for the other in nearly every circuit without rebiasing, with the caveat that production-batch differences between manufacturers (Mullard vs Sylvania vs JJ vs current Russian production) often matter more than the type-number itself.
Side-by-side specifications
| Spec | EL84 | 6BQ5 |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | EL84 / 6BQ5 | 6BQ5 / EL84 |
| Type | Pentode | Pentode |
| Primary use | Power (PP/SE) | Power (PP/SE) |
| Era | 1953 | 1953 |
| Heating | indirect | indirect |
| Heater voltage | 6.3 V | 6.3 V |
| Heater current | 0.76 A | 0.76 A |
| Amplification factor (μ) | — | — |
| Transconductance (gm) | 11 mA/V | 11 mA/V |
| Plate resistance (rp) | — | — |
| Max plate voltage | 300 V | 300 V |
| Max plate dissipation | 12 W | 12 W |
| Base | noval | noval |
| Manufacturer | Mullard·Philips | Amperex |
| Rarity | Common | Common |
Sonic character
Need an interactive deep dive?
The Amperatubes comparator visualises loadlines for both tubes side-by-side, simulates the SPICE response, and lets you adjust the operating point in real time.
Open EL84 vs 6BQ5 in the interactive comparator →